TrophyCatch Season Kicks Off in Florida

10/7/2019

Florida TrophyCatch New Season Now Underway

Support Florida bass conservation and register for a chance to win a new boat all in the same program! TrophyCatch is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) freshwater, citizen-science, angler recognition program. TrophyCatch began in 2012 as a direct response to FWC’s Black Bass Management Plan, which placed an emphasis on establishing trophy bass fishing opportunities throughout the state. TrophyCatch was established to collect data on trophy bass while promoting bass conservation by rewarding catch-and-release fishing.

Like and follow the TrophyCatch Facebook page to see featured submissions and to keep up to date on TrophyCatch news, events, and new prizing!

Special Announcements:

TrophyCatch Big Bag prize will be awarded to the angler with the five heaviest approved catches for the season! This means that the weight of each angler’s five heaviest approved bass will be totaled at the end of the most recent season and the heaviest total combined weight of those bass will earn the angler a prize pack of a lifetime!

Anglers are encouraged to submit girth photos and photos of the entire fish on a bump-board or tape-measure, in addition to the required images. These additional images provide FWC biologists with more information to assist in management and research initiatives.

We sincerely appreciate all of our sponsors and partners for supporting TrophyCatch, and we are extremely grateful for all of the participating anglers who make the program the most successful angler-driven conservation program in the United States (see the AFS Award News Release). Thank you for your participation in the TrophyCatch program and we welcome your feedback!

Recent Submissions

Brad RootLake Weir

Rod and Reel with Artificial Lure

8 lbs 1 oz | 20 Jun, 2019

Dean MorrisLittle Lake Harris

Rod and Reel with Artificial Lure

8 lbs 6 oz | 1 Jun, 2019

Featured Angler

Chuck Decker, Jr.Marion County

8 lbs. 9 oz. | 12/1/2018

Overview and Goal Statements

TrophyCatch is an incentive-based conservation program designed for anglers who catch-and-release largemouth bass heavier than eight pounds, in Florida.

Our goals are:

Collect valid information through citizen-science about trophy bass to help the FWC better enhance, conserve and promote trophy bass fishing

Encourage catch-and-release of the biggest, oldest, most valuable bass

Excite anglers about Florida freshwater fishing encouraging them to purchase licenses and fish more resulting in benefits to anglers, fishing-related businesses, local communities and the fisheries by having more support and funding for conservation

Share information about fishing opportunities and destinations to make fishing more enjoyable

Anglers are encouraged to follow catch-and-release guidelines for these big bass and to document the catch through a photograph of the entire bass on a scale with the weight clearly legible. See RULES and PRIZES for details.

Don't qualify for TrophyCatch? Angler recognition is provided for memorable catches of 33 different species of freshwater fishes in Florida through Big Catch, and features Specialist, Master and Elite Angler challenges. See more at BigCatchFlorida.com.